SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Rolls-Royce, the renowned British aerospace and defense company, has offered to co-develop a 120kN thrust engine for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, a fifth-generation stealth fighter. In a significant development reported by idrw.org, sources have revealed that Rolls-Royce has also proposed redesigning the turbojet core of this engine to incorporate a large front fan, enabling the development of high-thrust turbofan engines suitable for future civilian and transport aircraft programs led by the IAF or the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
The proposed 120kN engine, tailored for the AMCA, is designed to meet the stringent performance requirements of a stealth fighter, including high thrust-to-weight ratio and supercruise capabilities. However, Rolls-Royce’s offer to adapt the engine’s core for turbofan applications opens new possibilities for India’s aerospace ambitions, particularly in the civilian and military transport sectors.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made significant strides in bolstering the country’s defence capabilities with the ongoing development of the Supersonic Target (STAR) missile. Designed primarily as a high-speed target to train air defence units in countering supersonic projectiles, the STAR missile is poised to enhance the readiness of India’s armed forces against modern aerial threats.
Additionally, Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org) can confirm that DRDO is exploring the development of an air-to-air missile variant of STAR, potentially expanding its role beyond training to include offensive capabilities such as anti-AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) and anti-radiation missions.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed the development of the Fin-Stabilized Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) MkIII, a next-generation kinetic energy penetrator designed to enhance the firepower of India’s armored forces. This announcement marks a significant step in India’s indigenous defense technology program, aimed at bolstering the capabilities of its main battle tanks, such as the Arjun and T-90.
The FSAPDS MkIII is part of a progressive development timeline that began with the MkI and MkII variants. According to DRDO’s roadmap, the MkI, developed around 2010, had a diameter of 350–370 mm, delivering a pressure of 1050 MPa and an effectiveness of 8% EL (equivalent lethality) with a penetration of 90 J/cm². The MkII, introduced around 2015, improved on this with a diameter of 500–550 mm, a pressure of 1400 MPa, 8–15% EL, and a penetration of 150 J/cm². A further iteration of the MkII, around 2020, achieved 1600 MPa, 8–10% EL, and 110 J/cm² with a 600 mm diameter.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) recently made bold claims that its No. 15 ‘Cobras’ Squadron, equipped with Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets, shot down three Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale jets, one Su-30MKI, one MiG-29, and a Heron TP UAV during a reported aerial engagement on May 6-7, 2025. However, according to sources cited by idrw.org, these claims are mired in controversy within the PAF, as multiple pilots from the Cobra Squadron are vying for credit for the alleged Rafale kills, with no official confirmation or verification yet awarded to any pilot.
The PAF’s assertions, amplified by Pakistani media outlets like DAWN, have been met with skepticism, particularly as no conclusive evidence has been presented to substantiate the downing of any IAF aircraft, especially the Rafales. Sources within India’s defense establishment, as reported by idrw.org, have categorically denied any Rafale losses to air-to-air combat, labeling the PAF’s claims as exaggerated propaganda. Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier also dismissed Pakistan’s assertions as “inaccurate,” further undermining their credibility.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reactivated its Air Force Station at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, to serve as the new home for the prestigious No. 3 ‘Cobras’ Squadron, which will become the first unit to operate the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. The squadron, currently equipped with the aging MiG-21 Bison, is set to transition to the modern Tejas Mk1A, with deliveries scheduled to commence in August 2025 from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
According to HAL, 12 Tejas Mk1A aircraft are slated for delivery to the No. 3 Squadron by the end of March 2026. The production process is well underway, with nine Tejas Mk1A airframes already manufactured, awaiting the integration of GE-F404 engines. These engines are expected to arrive at a rate of two per month starting next month, with HAL set to receive 13 brand-new F404 engines by December 2025. This timeline will enable the formal induction of the Tejas Mk1A into the squadron, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A British Royal Navy F-35B jet has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for the past five days, parked in an open area due to the Royal Navy’s refusal to authorize Indian authorities to move the aircraft into a hangar. According to sources from idrw.org, India offered to relocate the jet to a hangar to facilitate repairs by a British technical team that arrived on the third day from the UK. However, the offer was declined, leaving the advanced fighter jet exposed to the elements.
The situation has been complicated by heavy monsoon rains, which have prevented the British team from conducting necessary repairs on the aircraft. Despite the Indian Air Force (IAF) proposing a temporary shed to shield the ground crew and enable repair work, this offer was also rejected by the Royal Navy. The reasons for these refusals remain unclear, raising questions about operational or diplomatic concerns.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Paninian India Pvt Ltd, a Hyderabad-based defense technology startup, has showcased the concept of its cutting-edge SVAYATT-L1 Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile at Aero India 2025, signaling India’s growing expertise in indigenous missile systems. Designed for precision strikes against high-value targets in heavily defended environments, the SVAYATT-L1 promises to enhance India’s strategic strike capabilities with advanced stealth, survivability, and autonomous features.
The SVAYATT-L1 is engineered to deliver deep-strike capability, featuring a low-observable airframe and a terrain-hugging flight profile to evade enemy radar and air defense systems. Its advanced navigation and guidance systems enable autonomous operation, even in GPS-denied environments, ensuring pinpoint accuracy and mission success in contested battlefields.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Two “very smart” leaders of India and Pakistan decided to end last month’s conflict that could have turned into a nuclear war, US President Donald Trump said after holding a rare luncheon meeting with Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House.
Donald Trump’s comments on Wednesday crediting the leaders of the two countries in ending the May 7-10 hostilities are seen at variance with his claims over a dozen times in the last few weeks that he brokered the India-Pakistan ceasefire deal.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Shesh Paul Vaid on Thursday reacted to the recent lunch meeting between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, stating that “there are no free lunches” and outlined four possible reasons behind the interaction.
Mr Vaid posted a video on his social media ‘X’ and said, “There is an idiom that there are no free lunches. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump invited Asim Munir for lunch. It’s not the first time such a meeting has happened. In the past, Pakistan Army Chiefs have met US Presidents on three occasions. But those meetings occurred when the Army Chiefs had assumed the role of President of Pakistan.”
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
US President Donald Trump has expressed “keen interest” in developing a “mutually beneficial” trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests, the army here said on Thursday.
In a statement after a meeting between Trump and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House on Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) — the media wing of the Pakistan Army — said they also discussed joint counterterrorism efforts.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Engineering and manufacturing solutions provider Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN) on Wednesday said it will acquire a majority stake in French aircraft parts manufacturer Lauak Group. Lauak Group is a 50-year-old family-owned company supplying aircraft parts to major global aerospace companies.The company, however, did not divulge the quantum of stake and size of the deal.
“Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN), a leading global engineering and manufacturing solutions provider and the Charritton Family, founders and current shareholders of Lauak Group, announced today at the Paris Air Show that they have entered into exclusive negotiations for a majority stake acquisition in the company.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Nearly all of the nine nuclear-armed States, including India and Pakistan, continued intensive nuclear modernisation programmes in 2024, upgrading existing weapons and adding newer versions, according to a report by a global think-tank.
India is believed to have once again “slightly expanded” its nuclear arsenal in 2024 and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a statement.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Seasoned diplomat Dinesh K Patnaik is likely to be appointed as India’s new high commissioner to Canada with both sides looking at rebuilding bilateral ties that came under severe strain following the killing of a Sikh separatist in 2023, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Patnaik, a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently serving as India’s ambassador to Spain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on Tuesday agreed to pursue “constructive” steps to restore stability in India-Canada ties including the early return of envoys to each other’s capitals.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
The eighth edition of the Indo-French joint military exercise, Shakti, commenced at Camp Larzac in La Cavalerie on Thursday, marking yet another milestone in the growing defence partnership between India and France. The biennial exercise aims to enhance interoperability and foster mutual understanding between the two militaries, with this year’s focus on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
The Indian Army contingent, comprising 90 personnel, is primarily represented by a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, along with personnel from other arms and services. The French contingent, also comprising 90 personnel, is represented by the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13 DBLE).
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Aiming for a major overhaul, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has constituted a committee to align the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 with the existing government policies and initiatives, an official said on Thursday. A Committee headed by the Director General (Acquisition) has been constituted for deliberations with all stakeholders on issues related with policy/procedural changes to streamline acquisition processes; language improvements to eliminate ambiguity and adoption of new technologies such as AI.
The Committee includes senior officers from MoD, representatives from the Defence Industry and Academia, said an official statement.
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